The Stairsteps<div hidden>The 5 Stairsteps The Five Stairsteps</div>
The Five Stairsteps were a Chicago-based soul group formed in the mid-1960s, consisting of siblings from the Burke family. Known as the "First Family of Soul," they gained fame with hits like "O-o-h Child" in 1970.
The core lineup included five siblings: lead singer Clarence Burke Jr., Alohe Jean Burke, James Burke, Dennis Burke, and youngest brother Kenneth "Keni" Burke, with Cubie Burke briefly joining as a child. Their father, Clarence Sr., managed the group and played bass, while they were discovered by Curtis Mayfield.
Starting on labels like Windy C and Curtom, they scored R&B hits such as "You Waited Too Long," "World of Fantasy," and "Come Back" from 1966-1967, earning a NATRA award. Albums like The Five Stairsteps (1967) and Family Portrait (1968) showcased their smooth harmonies and ballads.
Their signature song "O-o-h Child" topped R&B charts in 1970 on Buddah Records, ranking on Rolling Stone's Greatest Songs list. The group evolved, dropping "Five" from their name, adding Cubie temporarily, and later reforming as the Invisible Man's Band in the 1970s with George Harrison's Dark Horse label. They disbanded around 1972, with members pursuing solo careers, session work, and other ventures; James Burke passed away in 2021.
2nd Resurrection
The 5 Stairsteps The Five Stairsteps
A1 From Us To You
Backing Vocals – Ivory Davis
Backing Vocals, Arranged By – Stairsteps
Drums – Alvin Taylor
Guitar – Dennis Burke
Keyboards – Billy Preston
Lyrics By – Clarence Burke, Jr.
Music By, Lyrics By, Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar, Bass – Kenneth Burke 3:39
A2 Pasado
Backing Vocals – Ivory Davis
Backing Vocals, Arranged By – Stairsteps
Drums – Alvin Taylor
Keyboards – Billy Preston
Lyrics By, Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Clarence Burke, Jr.
Music By, Acoustic Guitar – James Burke
Percussion, Horns [Univox] – Ricardo Marrero
Twelve-String Guitar – Steve Beckmeier 3:09
A3 Theme Of Angels
Backing Vocals, Arranged By – Stairsteps
Bass – Kenneth Burke
Drums – Alvin Taylor
Keyboards, Arranged By – Billy Preston
Music By, Acoustic Guitar – James Burke 3:19
A4 Lifting 2nd Resurrection
Backing Vocals, Arranged By – Stairsteps
Bass – Kenneth Burke
Drums – Alvin Taylor
Keyboards – Billy Preston
Lead Guitar – Steve Beckmeier
Lyrics By, Lead Vocals, Percussion – Clarence Burke, Jr.
Music By, Lyrics By, Lead Vocals, Guitar – Dennis Burke
Percussion – Ricardo Marrero 3:45
A5 Time
Backing Vocals, Arranged By – Stairsteps
Bass – Kenneth Burke
Drums – Alvin Taylor
Guitar – James Burke
Guitar, Effects [Mu-tron] – Dennis Burke
Lyrics By – Syreeta Wright
Music By, Lyrics By, Lead Vocals – Clarence Burke, Jr.
Saxophone, Soloist – Stomach 3:48
B1 Throwin' Stones Atcha
Backing Vocals – Ivory Davis
Backing Vocals, Arranged By – Stairsteps
Bass – Kenneth Burke
Drums – Alvin Taylor
Guitar – Dennis Burke
Keyboards – Billy Preston
Music By, Lyrics By, Lead Vocals, Guitar – Clarence Burke, Jr. 3:04
B2 Far East
Arranged By – Stairsteps
Bass – Kenneth Burke
Drums – Alvin Taylor
Keyboards – Billy Preston
Music By, Acoustic Guitar, Percussion – Clarence Burke, Jr.
Percussion – Ricardo Marrero
Soloist [Super Phaser Solo] – Steve Beckmeier 1:06
B3 In The Beginning
Backing Vocals – Ivory Davis
Backing Vocals, Arranged By – Stairsteps
Bass – Kenneth Burke
Drums – Alvin Taylor
Guitar – Dennis Burke
Keyboards – Billy Preston
Music By, Lyrics By, Lead Vocals – Clarence Burke, Jr. 2:53
B4 Tell Me Why
Backing Vocals, Arranged By – Stairsteps
Drums – Alvin Taylor
Guitar – Dennis Burke
Keyboards – Billy Preston
Music By, Lyrics By, Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar, Bass – Kenneth Burke 4:31
B5 Salaam
Arranged By – Stairsteps
Drums – Alvin Taylor
Guitar – Clarence Burke, Jr.
Keyboards – Billy Preston
Lead Guitar – Dennis Burke
Music By, Guitar, Bass – Kenneth Burke
Percussion – Ricardo Marrero 4:34
Label: Dark Horse Records – SP-22004
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk
The album 2nd Resurrection by the Stairsteps is a critically acclaimed 1976 soul/funk classic, widely considered an under-appreciated masterpiece by fans and critics. It marked a significant shift for the group (formerly The Five Stairsteps) towards a more mature, sophisticated, and experimental sound, moving past their earlier "bubblegum" pop-soul image.
It is often described as a "long lost classic" and a "jewel" of mid-70s R&B. Reviewers note that the music was ahead of its time, with an eclectic and melodic composition that still sounds fresh decades later. One review from Mojo magazine in 2001 even named it one of the "100 best soul albums of all time".
The album is praised for working as a cohesive listening experience rather than just a collection of singles, highlighting the group's artisan musicianship.
It features a slick, West Coast soul sound, with a more mature feel compared to their earlier work like "O-o-h Child".
It was released on George Harrison's Dark Horse label and co-produced by Billy Preston (who also played keyboards) and Robert Margouleff.
Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil, known for their groundbreaking work with Stevie Wonder, programmed the T.O.N.T.O synthesizer, contributing innovative and experimental elements to the album's sound.
2nd Resurrection is a must-listen for fans of 70s soul and funk, offering a deeply satisfying and artistically rich experience that transcends its era.
The album was long out of print on physical media but has seen several reissues on both CD and vinyl, including a gold vinyl release for Record Store Day in 2023, making it accessible to new listeners. You can find various versions available through online retailers like Amazon or music databases like Discogs.
Stairsteps
Written-By – Lennon & McCartney
2:30
A2 Dear Prudence
Written-By – Lennon & McCartney
3:32
A3 Sweet As A Peach
Written-By – C. Burke, Jr.
2:27
A4 Vice The Lights
Written-By – C. Burke, Jr.
3:00
A5 O-O-H Child
Written-By – Stan Vincent
3:17
B1 Because I Love You
Written-By – C. Burke, Jr.
4:32
B2 What About Your Wife
Written-By – C. Burke, Jr., C. Burke, Sr.
3:16
B3 Up & Down
Written-By – C. Burke, Jr., James Burke, III
2:52
B4 Who Do You Belong To
Written-By – C. Burke, Jr.
2:32
Label: Buddah Records – BDS 5061
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1970
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
The First Family Of Soul
The 5 Stairsteps The Five Stairsteps
1 You Waited Too Long
Written by Clarence Burke Jr.,Gregory Fowler
2:55
2 Danger She's A Stranger
Written by Clarence Burke Jr., Clarence Burke Sr., Gregory Fowler
2:48
3 Come Back
Written by Clarence Burke Jr., Gregory Fowler
2:54
4 Playgirl's Love
Written by Clarence Burke Jr.
2:12
5 World Of Fantasy
Written by Clarence Burke Jr., Gregory Fowler
3:03
6 Oooh, Baby Baby
Written by William "Smokey" Robinson, Warren Moore
2:31
7 Don't Waste Your Time
Written by Curtis Mayfield
2:19
8 You Don't Love Me
Written by Clarence Burke Jr.
2:32
9 Behind Curtains
Written by Curtis Mayfield
2:51
10 The Girl I Love
Written by Clarence Burke Jr.
2:16
11 Ain't Gonna Rest (Till I Get You)
Written by Clarence Burke Jr., Gregory Fowler
2:37
12 The Touch Of You
Written by Clarence Burke Jr.
2:41
13 Something's Missing Clarence Burke Jr.,
Written by Gregory Fowler
14 Don't Change Your Love
Written by Curtis Mayfield
2:41
15 Baby Make Me Feel So Good
Written by Clarence Burke Jr.
2:45
16 We Must Be In Love
Written by Clarence Burke Jr.
3:10
17 O-O-H Child
Written by Stan Vincent
3:14
Label: Buddha Records – 74465 99778 2
Format: CD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 2001
Genre: R&B Soul, Pop
Style: Pop-Soul